‘Coyote vs. Acme’ and ‘The Dog Stars’ Strong Thursday Previews Ahead of Box Office Battle

Few films come to theaters with a backstory as compelling as ‘Coyote vs. Acme.’ This live-action and animation hybrid was shelved for nearly two years after Warner Bros. Discovery pulled it in late 2023 as part of a tax write-off strategy. This decision sparked outrage among fans, filmmakers, and industry observers who believed a completed movie deserved a fair chance at an audience.

The backlash led to Ketchup Entertainment acquiring the film for approximately $50 million, setting its theatrical release for August 28. Now, it enters a crowded late-summer market, debuting alongside Ridley Scott’s post-apocalyptic thriller ‘The Dog Stars,’ which stars Jacob Elordi, and facing the ongoing box office success of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day.’

Early numbers indicate both films are off to a solid start. ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ garnered $1.7 million from Thursday previews, while ‘The Dog Stars’ earned $850,000 during the same timeframe, giving both films a respectable head start as they head into their first full weekend.

Tracking for ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ has been notably varied ahead of its release, reflecting uncertainty about how the film’s unique journey to theaters might impact ticket sales. Estimates for its domestic opening range from a low of $6.5 million to as high as $23 million, depending on the tracking service.

This uncertainty persists despite the film receiving strong reviews, currently boasting a certified fresh 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 128 critics. The positive response has led some outlets to label it one of the best live-action and animation hybrids ever created. Additionally, the film’s marketing has exceeded expectations, with its April trailer reportedly achieving 25 million views, setting an indie box office record for trailer engagement.

Ketchup Entertainment’s history offers little precedent for what a hit might look like for the distributor. The company’s previous biggest release, Robert Rodriguez’s ‘Hypnotic,’ earned just $16 million domestically against a $65 million budget in 2023, a very different scale than what ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ is now pursuing.

Moreover, ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ isn’t limited to a domestic release this weekend. Altitude is launching the film in the UK and Ireland simultaneously, with a rollout across Latin America adding even more markets to observe as opening weekend figures come together.

Meanwhile, ‘The Dog Stars’ enters the weekend as another significant new release, with Scott’s direction and Elordi’s lead performance drawing attention from critics seeking a more grounded entry into the post-apocalyptic genre. Both films will be competing directly with ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ which has maintained its box office dominance throughout its extended theatrical run.

Given the unpredictability surrounding ‘Coyote vs. Acme,’ these Thursday preview numbers provide an early, albeit imperfect, indication of how the weekend might unfold. A film that once seemed destined to vanish entirely achieving even a modest opening would be a significant victory for everyone who advocated for its release.

Both films arrive at a time when late-summer box office competition tends to ease, allowing new releases a genuine opportunity to establish an audience without competing against another major tentpole. This timing could benefit either title, especially if the positive reviews for ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ and the buzz surrounding Scott’s latest thriller continue to grow through the weekend via word of mouth.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!